Sen. John W. Matthews, Jr. (D-Orangeburg) is the recipient of the 2018 David H. Wilkins Award for Excellence in Legislative Leadership. The award is presented by The Riley Institute at Furman University.

“I’m always better off if my neighbor is better off. I’m better off living in communities that are better off. So as a political philosophy we have to create communities that are better off,” says Matthews.

The longest serving African American S.C. state legislator, Senator Matthews is known for his willingness to work with others across the aisle to support progress in education, healthcare and economic development. He is held in the highest regard by his fellow members of the General Assembly. Currently, he serves on seven Senate committees: Agriculture and Natural Resources; Banking and Insurance; Corrections and Penology; Education; Ethics; Finance; and Interstate Cooperation.